Optical receiver and optical reception method compatible with differential quadrature phase shift keying

ABSTRACT

In an optical receiver according to the present invention, an input signal light subjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) is incident on a PANDA type fiber in a linearly polarized state by 45°, so that a delay time difference corresponding to one symbol is generated between orthogonal polarization components in the DQPSK signal light, and then, the signal light is branched by a half mirror into two, to be sent to first and second paths respectively, thereby giving, by a ¼ wave plate disposed on one of the paths, a relative birefringent amount difference of π/2 between the lights propagated through the respective paths. Then, each of the lights propagated through the first and second paths is separated into two orthogonal polarization components by a polarization beam splitter, and the respective polarization components are received by a differential reception circuit so that in-phase components and quadrature components in the DQPSK signal are demodulated. Thus, a small sized and low cost optical receiver capable of stably demodulating the DQPSK signal is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical receiver and an opticalreception method, for demodulating a signal light subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying, and in particular, to atechnology for realizing a stably operated optical receiver of a smallsize.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, as a technology enabling the high bit rate opticaltransmission at 40 Gb/s or higher, there has been noticed an opticalmodulation system, such as a differential phase shift keying (DPSK)system, a differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) system orthe like. The DQPSK system has a more excellent characteristic in termsof the long distance transmission, the dense multiplexing/largecapacity, and the design performance, usability and the like, incomparison with a known optical modulation system, such as, a typicalnon-return to zero (NRZ) modulation system, a CS-RZ modulation system, aRZ-DPSK modulation system or the like. The DQPSK system in thespecification of the present invention includes the RZ-DQPSK system inwhich a DQPSK signal is return to zero (RZ) pulsed, and acarrier-suppressed (CS) RZ-DQPSK system.

Here, there will be briefly described an optical sender and an opticalreceiver, to which the DQPSK system is applied.

As the optical sender applied with the DQPSK system, there has beenknown an optical sender provided with a basic configuration as shown inFIG. 4 for example, (refer to Japanese National Phase Publication No.2004-516743 and the literature: A. H. Gnauck et al., “SpectrallyEfficient (0.8 b/s/Hz) 1-Th/s (25×42.7 Gb/s) RZ-DQPSK Transmission Over28 100-km SSMF Spans With 7 Optical Add/Drops”, ECOC 2004, PD. 4.4.1).

In this optical sender, a continuous light emitted from a light source101 is branched into two. One of the branched lights is given to a phasemodulator (PM) 102, and the other branched light is given to a phasemodulator (PM) 103 and also to a phase shifter 104. The phase modulators102 and 103 are driven independently from each other in accordance withmodulating signals I_(k) and Q_(k) generated by processing differentdata signals u_(k) and v_(k) by a pre-coder (integrator) 105, toselectively change phases of the lights input thereto by 0 or π [rad].The light propagated through an optical path on the side of the phasemodulator 103 is given with a phase difference of π/2 by the phaseshifter 104 relative to the light propagated through an optical path onthe side of the phase modulator 102. Therefore, an output light from theoptical path on the side of the phase modulator 102 becomes an opticalsignal obtained by modulating the light from the light source 101 by thephase deviation of 0 or π, whereas an output light from the optical pathon the side of the phase modulator 103 becomes an optical signalobtained by modulating the light from the light source 101 by the phasedeviation of π/2 or 3π/2. Then, the output lights from the respectiveoptical paths are multiplexed, so that a DQPSK signal light whose phaseis changed by four values of π/4, 3π/4, 5π/4 and π/4, is generated. Thebit rate of the DQPSK signal light becomes twice the bit rate of each ofthe data signals u_(k) and v_(k) processed by the pre-coder 105.Therefore, for example in order to transmit the DQPSK signal light of 40Gb/s, the respective phase modulators 102 and 103 may be driven usingthe data signals of 20 Gb/s.

Note, a configuration of the pre-coder 105 corresponds to the logicalexpression shown in the next formula (1).I _(k)=({overscore (u _(k) ⊕I _(k-1))})(u _(k) ⊕Q _(k-1))(I _(k-1) ⊕Q_(k-1))+({overscore (v _(k) ⊕I _(k-1))}) (v _(k) ⊕{overscore (Q _(k-1))})( I _(k-1) ⊕{overscore (Q _(k-1) )})Q _(k)=({overscore (v _(k))}⊕Q _(k-1))({overscore (v _(k))}⊕I _(k-1))(I_(k-1) ⊕Q _(k-1))+({overscore (u _(k) ⊕Q _(k-1))})(u _(k) ⊕{overscore (I_(k-1) )})({overscore ( I _(k-1))}⊕Q _(k-1))   (1)

In the above logical expression, I_(k), Q_(k), v_(k) and u_(k) arelogical values (1 or 0) in kth clock timing at respective sites withinthe pre-coder typically shown in FIG. 4, and the suffix k-1 indicates alogical value before one dock. In order to realize this relationship, inthe configuration example of FIG. 4, I_(k) and Q_(k) are fed back withinthe pre-coder via one symbol-time delay τ.

Further, as shown in a configuration of FIG. 5 for example, the aboveDQPSK signal light is given to an intensity modulator 106 which isdriven based on a clock signal CLK having a duty ratio of 50%, which issynchronized with the data signal, to be RZ pulsed, so that a RZ-DQPSKsignal light is generated. Further, the duty ratio of the clock signalCLK is set to 66% or the like, so that a CSRZ-DQPSK signal light isgenerated. The intensity and a phase of the RZ-DQPSK signal light are ina relationship as shown in FIG. 6 for example.

As a conventional optical receiver demodulating the DQPSK signal light,there has been known a configuration as shown in FIG. 7 for example(refer to Japanese National Publication No. 2004-516743). In thisoptical receiver, the input DQPSK signal light is branched into two, andthe branched lights are given to delay interferometers 201 and 202,respectively. The delay interferometers 201 and 202 each has aconfiguration in which, by making the optical path lengths of two armsof a Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide which is formed on, for example, asilica substrate, an indium phosphide substrate or the like, differentfrom each other, a relative delay time difference corresponding to onesymbol of modulated code can be generated between the lights propagatedthrough the respective arms. Further, an interference operating point ofthe delay interferometer 201 is set to π/4 by a phase shifting section203 formed on one of the arms, and an interference operating point ofthe delay interferometer 202 is set to π/4 by a phase shifting section204 formed on the other arm. Complementary two output powers output froman output stage coupler of the delay interferometer 201 is received by adifferential reception circuit 205 consisting of a pair of opticaldetectors and an amplifier, so that an electric signal I in whichin-phase components in the DQPSK signal light are demodulated, isgenerated. Further, similarly to this, complementary two output powersoutput from an output stage coupler of the delay interferometer 202 isreceived by a differential reception circuit 206 consisting of a pair ofoptical detectors and an amplifier, so that an electric signal Q inwhich quadrature components in the DQPSK signal light are demodulated,is generated.

Moreover, as the delay interferometer used in the conventional opticalreceiver, other than the optical waveguide configuration, there has beenknown, for example, a configuration obtained by combining optical fiberfused couplers. Furthermore, there has been known a Mach-Zehnder delayinterferometer configured by utilizing a propagation delay timedifference between two intrinsic axes of a polarization-preserving fiberwhen a signal light subjected to the frequency shift keying (FSK) or thephase shift keying (PSK) is demodulated (refer to Japanese UnexaminedPatent Publication No. 5-268159), although it is different from thedelay interferometer having the object of demodulating the DQPSK signallight.

However, since the optical receiver having the conventionalconfiguration as shown in FIG. 7 needs dual system delay interferometerseach having the long optical path length, there is a problem in that thesize of the optical receiver is enlarged. To be specific, in order todemodulate the DQPSK signal light of 40 Gb/ss for example, since a delaytime difference of about 50 ps corresponding to one symbol of the datasignal of 20 Gb/ss is generated by each of the delay interferometers, anoptical path length difference of about 15 mm needs to be formed betweenthe respective arms. In the case where such delay interferometers arerealized by the optical waveguides formed on the silica substrates orthe like, since it is necessary to arrange two optical waveguidesubstrates each having a large area, a large scale of the opticalreceiver is unavoidable. Moreover, in the optical receiver having theconventional configuration, since it is necessary to precisely coincidethe operating point (phase difference) of one of the delayinterferometers with π/4 and the operating point of the other delayinterferometer with −π/4, there is a problem in that a technology forcontrolling with high accuracy an optical phase within each of the delayinterferometers and an optical phase between the delay interferometersis required.

To the above problems, in the case where the miniaturization of theoptical receiver is attempted by integrating the two delayinterferometers into one planner lightwave circuit (PLC) chip, there isa possibility that the temperature distribution or the like occurs inthe PLC chip having a large area, and as a result, the delay time or theinterference operating point in each of the delay interferometers isdeviated from a required value. In order to avoid such a possibility,the high accurate temperature designing or the high accurate packagingtechnology is needed, but may be an obstacle to the miniaturization andthe low cost of the optical receiver.

Note, the configuration of the delay interferometer utilizing the abovedescribed polarization-preserving fiber can be effective means forsolving the above problems. However, the conventional proposal merelyaims at a single system delay interferometer corresponding to the FSKsystem or the PSK system. There has not been proposed a specificconfiguration considering up to problems particular to the DQPSK systemcaused by the conventional configuration which needs the dual systemdelay interferometers as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished in view of the aboveproblems and has an object to provide a small sized optical receiver oflow cost, capable of stably demodulating a signal light in accordancewith a differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) system.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of thepresent invention, an optical receiver for demodulating a signal lightsubjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying comprises: apolarization converting section; a birefringent optical medium; abranching section; a birefringent amount difference generating section;first and second polarization separating sections; and first and secondreception sections. The polarization converting section converts theinput signal light subjected to the differential quadrature phase shiftkeying into a linearly polarized light to output it. The birefringentoptical medium receives, at an intrinsic axis thereof, the signal lightconverted into the linearly polarized light by the polarizationconverting section with a polarization plane thereof inclined by 45°,and is capable of generating a relative delay time differencecorresponding to one symbol of code subjected to the differentialquadrature phase shift keying between a polarization componentpropagated along a direction parallel to the intrinsic axis and apolarization component propagated along a direction vertical to theintrinsic axis. The branching section branches the light passed throughthe birefringent optical medium into two, to send one of the branchedlights to a first path and the other branched light to a second path.The birefringent amount difference generating section generates arelative birefringent amount difference of π/2 between the lightpropagated through the first path and the light propagated through thesecond path. The first polarization separating section has an opticalaxis inclined by 45° to the intrinsic axis of the birefringent opticalmedium, and separates the light propagated through the first path, whichis given with the relative birefringent amount difference by thebirefringent amount difference generating section, into two orthogonalpolarization components. The second polarization separating section hasan optical axis inclined by 45° to the intrinsic axis of thebirefringent optical medium, and separates the light propagated throughthe second path, which is given with the relative birefringent amountdifference by the birefringent amount difference generating section,into two orthogonal polarization components. The first reception sectionreceives at least one of the polarization components separated by thefirst polarization separating section, to output an electric signal inwhich in-phase component in the signal light subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying are demodulated based on thereceived light power. The second reception section receives at least oneof the polarization components separated by the second polarizationseparating section, to output an electric signal in which quadraturecomponents in the signal light subjected to the differential quadraturephase shift keying are demodulated based on the received light power.

In the optical receiver of the above configuration, the DQPSK signallight converted into the linearly polarized light by the polarizationconverting section is incident on the birefringent optical medium in astate where the polarization plane thereof is inclined by 45° to theintrinsic axis of the birefringent optical medium, and the delay timedifference corresponding to one symbol is given between the polarizationcomponents orthogonal to each other in the DQPSK signal light by thebirefringent optical medium. Then, the signal light given with the delaytime difference is branched by the branching section into two, to besent to the first and second paths, and the light propagated througheach of the paths is given with the relative birefringent amountdifference of π/2 by the birefringent amount difference generatingsection. The lights propagated through the first and second paths areseparated, respectively, into two orthogonal polarization components bythe first and second polarization separating sections, and thereafter,are received, respectively, by the first and second reception sections,so that the electric signal in which the in-phase components in theDQPSK light are demodulated is output from the first reception sectionand the electric signal in which the quadrature components in the DQPSKlight are demodulated is output from the second reception section.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, anoptical receiver for demodulating a signal light subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying comprises: a polarizationconverting section; a delay interference section; first and secondpolarization separating sections; and first and second receptionsections. The polarization converting section converts the input signallight subjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying intoeither a linearly polarized light or a circularly polarized light, tooutput it. The delay interference section includes a Mach-Zehnderoptical waveguide on which is formed: a branching section that branchesthe signal light whose polarization state is converted by thepolarization converting section into two; a first arm through which oneof the lights branched by the branching section is propagated; a secondarm having the optical path length different from that of the first arm,through which the other of the lights branched by the branching sectionis propagated; and a multiplexing/demultiplexing section thatmultiplexes the lights passed through the first and second arms to makethe lights to interfere with each other, and thereafter, demultiplexesthe multiplexed light into two, the Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide iscapable of generating a relative delay time difference corresponding toone symbol of code subjected to the differential quadrature phase shiftkeying, between the respective lights propagated through the first andsecond arms and also capable of making one of the first arm and thesecond arm to have the birefringence, to generate a relativebirefringent amount difference of π/2 between a TE mode component and aTM mode component in the light propagated through the arm having thebirefringence. The first polarization separating section has an opticalaxis parallel or vertical to a birefringent axis of the delayinterference section, and separates one of the lights obtained bydemultiplexing the multiplexed light into two by themultiplexing/demultiplexing section, into a TE mode light and a TM modelight. The second polarization separating section has an optical axisparallel or vertical to the birefringent axis of the delay interferencesection, and separates the other of the lights obtained bydemultiplexing the multiplexed light into two by themultiplexing/demultiplexing section, to a TE mode light and a TM modelight. The first reception section receives one of the TE mode lightsand the TM mode lights which are respectively separated by the firstpolarization separating section and the second polarization separatingsection, to output an electric signal in which in-phase components inthe signal light subjected to the differential quadrature phase shiftkeying are demodulated based on the received light power. The secondreception section receives the other of the TE mode lights and the TMmode lights which are respectively separated by the first polarizationseparating section and the second polarization separating section, tooutput an electric signal in which quadrature components in the signallight subjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying aredemodulated based on the received light power.

In the optical receiver of the above configuration, the DQPSK signallight converted into either the linearly polarized light or thecircularly polarized light by the polarization converting section isincident on the delay interference section in a state where thepolarization plane thereof is inclined by 45° to the birefringent axis.In the delay interference section, the DQPSK signal is branched intotwo, to be sent to the first and second arms, so that the relative delaytime difference corresponding to one symbol is generated between thelights propagated through the respective arms, and also, the relativebirefringent amount difference of π/2 is generated between the TE modecomponent and the TM mode component in the light propagated through thearm having the birefringence. Then, the lights passed through therespective arms are once multiplexed and thereafter are demultiplexedinto two, and the demultiplexed lights are respectively separated to theTE mode lights and the TM mode lights by the first and secondpolarization separating sections. Thereafter, the lights in the samemodes are respectively received by the first and second receptionsections, so that the electric signal in which the in-phase componentsin the DQPSK signal light are demodulated is output from the firstreception section and the electric signal in which the quadraturecomponents in the DQPSK signal light are demodulated is output from thesecond reception section.

According to the above described optical receiver of the presentinvention, the processing of the DQPSK signal light, which has requireddual system delay interferometers in the conventional configuration, canbe realized by the common birefringent optical medium or the commondelay interferometer. Therefore, an optical phase control can be easilyperformed and accordingly, it becomes possible to provide a small sizedoptical receiver which is stably operated in response to a temperaturechange.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following explanation of the embodiments, inconjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical receiveraccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical receiveraccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical receiveraccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an opticalreceiver applied with a DQPSK system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an opticalreceiver applied with a (CS) RZ-DQPSK system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplarily showing a relationship between theintensity and a phase of a RZ-DQPSK signal light.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of aconventional optical receiver for demodulating a DQPSK signal light.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There will be described embodiments for implementing the presentinvention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The samereference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts in all drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical receiveraccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the optical receiver in the present embodiment comprises, forexample, an automatic polarization controller (APC) 11 as a polarizationconverting section, a PANDA (Polarization-maintaining AND Absorptionreducing) type fiber 12 as a birefringent optical medium, an opticalphase modulator 13 as a delay time difference correcting section,collimator lenses 14A to 14E, a half mirror (HM) 15 as a branchingsection, polarization beam splitters (PBS) 16A and 16B as first andsecond polarization separating sections, a ¼ wave plate (π/4) 17 as abirefringent amount difference generating section, and differentialreception circuits 18 and 19 as first and second reception sections.

The automatic polarization controller 11 receives, at an input portthereof, a DQPSK signal light transmitted via an optical transmissionpath connected to the present optical receiver, and is capable ofarbitrarily changing a polarization state of the DQPSK signal light.This automatic polarization controller 11 monitors therein thepolarization state of the DQPSK signal light given to the input portthereof to automatically control the polarization sate, so that alinearly polarized light having a polarization plane inclined by 45° toan intrinsic axis of the PANDA type fiber 12 connected to an output portthereof here, is output.

Here, the description will be made on the case where the DQPSK signallight is input to the present optical receiver. However, the opticalreceiver of the present invention is capable of receiving a RZ-DQPSKsignal light obtained by performing the RZ pulsation on the DQPSK signallight or a CSRZ-DQPSK signal light obtained by performing thecarrier-suppressed RZ pulsation on the DQPSK signal light.

The PANDA type fiber 12 is one of birefringent optical mediums eachhaving a function of maintaining a polarization state of a lightpropagated through an optical fiber, and is an optical fiber in which astress applied on a core is given with the anisotropy to increase thestress birefringence. The length of the PANDA type fiber 12 is adjustedso that a differential group delay (DGD) between orthogonal intrinsicaxes thereof is coincident with one symbol of the DQPSK signal light. Aperiod of one symbol of the DQPSK signal light is 46.5 ps, for examplein the case of the DQPSK signal light having the bit rate of 43 Gb/ss.However, the bit rate of the DQPSK signal light in the present inventionis not limited to the above example. Further, here, the configurationexample in which the Panda type fiber is used is shown. However, it isalso possible to use a known birefringent optical medium other than thePANDA type fiber.

The optical phase modulator 13 is inserted into an arbitrary position onthe PANDA type fiber 12, and adjusts a phase of a polarization componentparallel to one of the orthogonal intrinsic axes of the PANDA type fiber12 according to a control signal C, to correct the deviation of the DGDactually generated in the PANDA type fiber 12 from the integral multipleof an optical electric field oscillation period. The control signal Cfor controlling an operation of the optical phase modulator 13 isgenerated according to a reception state of the DQPSK signal light,which is judged based on, for example, output signals from thedifferently reception circuits 18 and 19, or the like. In the case wherethe DGD generated in the PANDA type fiber 12 satisfies the desiredaccuracy, it is possible to omit the optical phase modulator 13.

The collimator lens 14A is arranged in the vicinity of one end of thePANDA type fiber 12, to convert the signal light emitted from the PANDAtype fiber 12 into a parallel light. The signal light converted into theparallel light by the collimator lens 14A is incident on the half mirror15 which is arranged to be inclined approximately by 45° to a travelingdirection. The light transmitted through the half mirror 15 is sent tothe polarization beam splitter 16A, whereas the light reflected by thehalf mirror 15 is sent to the ¼ wave plate 17.

The polarization beam splitter 16A has an optical axis inclined by 45°to the intrinsic axis of the PANDA type fiber 12, and separates thelight transmitted through the half mirror 15 into two orthogonalpolarization components. One of the polarization components separated bythe polarization beam splitter 16A is condensed by the collimator lens14B to be sent to one optical detector 18A of the differential receptioncircuit 18 to be described later, whereas the other polarizationcomponent is condensed by the collimator lens 14C to be sent to theother optical detector 18B of the differential reception circuit 18.

The ¼ wave plate 17 gives a phase difference of π/2 between mutuallyorthogonal polarization components in the light reflected by the halfmirror 15 to output the light to the polarization beam splitter 16B. Forexample, when the linearly polarized light having the polarization planeinclined by 45° to the intrinsic axis of the PANDA type fiber 12 isincident on the 1/4 wave plate 17, a right-handed circularly polarizedlight is incident on the polarization beam splitter 16B. Thepolarization beam splitter 16B has an optical axis inclined by 45° tothe intrinsic axis of the PANDA type fiber 12, and separates the lightpassed through the 1/4 wave plate 17 into two orthogonal polarizationcomponents. One of the polarization components separated by thepolarization beam splitter 16B is condensed by the collimator lens 14Dto be sent to one optical detector 19A of the differential receptioncircuit 19 to be described later, whereas the other polarizationcomponent is condensed by the collimator lens 14E to be sent to theother optical detector 19B of the differential reception circuit 19.

The differential reception circuit 18 includes, for example, the twooptical detectors 18A and 18B connected to each other in series, and anamplifier 18C connected to a node of the optical detectors 18A and 18B,and receives the lights sent via the collimator lenses 14B and 14C bythe optical detectors 18A and 18B, to output from the amplifier 18C anelectric signal I in which in-phase components in the DQPSK signal lightare demodulated. Further, similarly to the differential receptioncircuit 18, the differential reception circuit 19 includes the opticaldetectors 19A and 19B, and an amplifier 19C, and receives the lightssent via the collimator lenses 14D and 14E by the optical detectors 19Aand 19B, to output from the amplifier 19C an electric signal Q in whichquadrature components in the DQPSK signal light are demodulated.

The electric signals I and Q respectively output from the differentialreception circuits 18 and 19 are given to a typical signal processingcircuit (not shown in the figure), such as a dock data recovery (CDR)circuit or the like, where the identification processing of receiveddata is performed. Here, a difference between the received light powersin the pair of optical detectors is obtained so that the DQPSK signallight is demodulated. However, it is also possible to demodulate theDQPSK signal light based on one of the received light powers in the pairof optical detectors.

In the optical receiver of the above configuration, after a delay timedifference corresponding to one symbol is given between the orthogonalpolarization components in the DQPSK signal light by the single PANDAtype fiber 12, the relative birefringent amount difference of π/2 isgiven by the ¼ wave plate 17 to one of the lights obtained by branchingthe DQPSK signal light into two by the half mirror 15. Therefore, theprocessing of the DQPSK signal light, which has required dual systemdelay interferometers in the conventional technology, can be basicallymade to be common. As a result, since the site for the optical phaseadjustment is only the optical phase modulator 13, it becomes possibleto easily perform an optical phase control, and also the opticalreceiver can be stably operated in response to a temperature change.Further, for the interference between the polarization components usingthe Panda type fiber 12, since optical paths through which twopolarization components to be made to interfere with each other arerespectively propagated can be the same in spatial, it becomes possibleto make the tolerance in designing and manufacturing relatively large.Moreover, the PANDA type fiber 12 itself can be wound in a relativelysmall size, and an optical system between the Panda type fiber 12, andthe deferential reception circuits 18 and 19 can be made to be a compactspatial optical system. Therefore, it becomes possible to realize theoptical receiver of smaller size and lower cost compared with theconventional configuration.

In the above described first embodiment, the 1/4 wave plate 17 isdisposed on the optical path through which one of the lights obtained bybranching the signal light into two by the half mirror 15 is propagated,so that the birefringent amount difference of π/2 is generated. However,⅛ wave plates or the like may be respectively disposed on the respectiveoptical paths through which the lights obtained by branching the signallight into two by the half mirror 15 are propagated, so that thebirefringent amount difference of π/2 is generated. Further, here, thefixed birefringent amount difference is generated by the ¼ wave plate.However, it is also possible to adopt an application in which thebirefringent amount difference given by the ¼ wave plate 17 has avariable function, in order to compensate for a change due to avariation of operation environment or the like.

Next, there will be described a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

In the above first embodiment, there has been shown the configurationexample in which the polarization state of the input light is controlledby the automatic polarization controller 11, so that the DQPSK signallight input to the optical receiver becomes the linearly polarized lightinclined by 45° to the intrinsic axis of the PANDA type fiber 12.However, generally, the polarization state of the signal light which ispropagated through the optical transmission path or the like to reachthe optical receiver is arbitrarily changed at a high speed. Therefore,there is a problem in that the automatic polarization controller 11needs to be operated at a high speed following the change in thepolarization state. In the second embodiment, the description will bemade on an application example of a so-called polarization diversitysystem, in which the DQPSK signal light in an arbitrary polarizationstate can be received without using the automatic polarizationcontroller 11.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical receiveraccording to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the configuration of the optical receiver in the presentembodiment differs from the configuration of the first embodiment inthat a polarization beam splitter (PBS) 21 and two optical circulators22 and 23, are disposed in place of the automatic polarizationcontroller 11, and also a collimator lens 24, a half mirror (HM) 25 anda ¼ wave plate (π/4) 27 are newly added. The configuration other thanthe above is similar to the configuration of the first embodiment, andtherefore, the description thereof is omitted.

The polarization beam splitter 21 receives at an input port thereof theDQPSK signal light transmitted via the optical transmission pathconnected to the present optical receiver, and separates the DQPSKsignal light into two orthogonal polarization components to output thepolarization components to the optical circulators 22 and 23,respectively.

The optical circulators 22 and 23 each has three ports, and comprises acharacteristic for transferring the light input to a first port in onedirection to a second port while maintaining the polarization state ofthe light, and also for transferring the light input to the second portin one direction to a third port while maintaining the polarizationstate of the light. The optical circulator 22 is arranged so that thefirst port is connected to one of output ports of the polarization beamsplitter 21, the second port is connected to the one end of the PANDAtype fiber 12, and the light emitted from the third port is introducedto the collimator lens 24. Further, the optical circulator 23 isarranged so that the first port is connected to the other output port ofthe polarization beam splitter 21, the second port is connected to theother end of the PANDA type fiber 12, and the light emitted from thethird port is introduced to the collimator lens 14A.

In the above connection relationship among the polarization beamsplitter 21, the optical circulators 22 and 23, and the PANDA type fiber12, the polarization component output from the one of the output portsof the polarization beam splitter 21 passes through sequentially thefirst port and the second port of the optical circulator 22, to be givento the one end of the PANDA type fiber 12 in a state where apolarization direction thereof is inclined by 45° to the intrinsic axisof the PANDA type fiber 12. Then, the light which has passed through theinside of the PANDA type fiber 12 and the optical phase modulator 13 toreach the other end of the PANDA type fiber 12, passes throughsequentially the second port and the third port of the opticalcirculator 23, to be sent to the collimator lens 14A. Further, thepolarization component output from the other output port of thepolarization beam splitter 21 passes through sequentially the first portand the second port of the optical circulator 23, to be given to theother end of the PANDA type fiber 12 in a state where a polarizationdirection thereof is inclined by 135° to the intrinsic axis of the PANDAtype fiber 12. Then, the light which has passed through the inside ofthe PANDA type fiber 12 and the optical phase modulator 13 to reach theone end of the PANDA type fiber 12, passes through sequentially thesecond port and the third port of the optical circulator 22, to be sentto the collimator lens 24.

In the light converted into the parallel light by the collimator lens14A, similarly to the above first embodiment, the light transmittedthrough the half mirror 15 is sent to the polarization beam splitter16A, whereas the light reflected by the half mirror 15 is sent to the ¼wave plate 17. In the polarization beam splitter 16A, the light from thehalf mirror 15 is separated into two orthogonal polarization components.The polarization component transmitted through the polarization beamsplitter 16A is condensed by the collimator lens 14B to be sent to theoptical detector 18A of the differential reception circuit 18, whereasthe polarization component reflected by the polarization beam splitter16A is condensed by the collimator lens 14C to be sent to the opticaldetector 18B of the differential reception circuit 18. Further, thelight sent from the half mirror 15 to the ¼ wave plate 17 is given withthe birefringent amount difference of π/2 by the ¼ wave plate 17, andthereafter, is separated into two orthogonal polarization components bythe polarization beam splitter 16B. The polarization componenttransmitted through the polarization beam splitter 16B is condensed bythe collimator lens 14D to be sent to the optical detector 19A of thedifferential reception circuit 19, whereas the polarization componentreflected by the polarization beam splitter 16B is condensed by thecollimator lens 14E to be sent to the optical detector 19B of thedifferential reception circuit 19.

On the other hand, the light converted into the parallel light by thecollimator lens 24 is incident on the half mirror 25 arranged to beinclined approximately by 45° to the traveling direction. The lighttransmitted through the half mirror 25 is sent to the ¼ wave plate 27,whereas the light reflected by the half mirror 25 is sent to thepolarization beam splitter 16A. The light sent from the half mirror 25to the ¼ wave plate 27 is given with the birefringent amount differenceof π/2 by the ¼ wave plate 27, and thereafter, is separated into twoorthogonal polarization components by the polarization beam splitter16B. The polarization component transmitted through the polarizationbeam splitter 16B is condensed by the collimator lens 14E to be sent tothe optical detector 19B of the differential reception circuit 19,whereas the polarization component reflected by the polarization beamsplitter 16B is condensed by the collimator lens 14D to be sent to theoptical detector 19A of the differential reception circuit 19. At thistime, the polarization component transmitted from the ¼ wave plate 17through the polarization beam splitter 16B to be condensed by thecollimator lens 14D and the polarization component transmitted from the¼ wave plate 27 and reflected by the polarization beam splitter 16B tobe condensed by the collimator lens 14D, are received by the opticaldetector 19A without interfering with each other since the polarizationdirections thereof are orthogonal to each other. Similarly to this, thepolarization component transmitted from the ¼ wave plate 27 andreflected by the polarization beam splitter 16B to be condensed by thecollimator lens 14E and the polarization component transmitted from the¼ wave plate 27 through the polarization beam splitter 16B to becondensed by the collimator lens 14E, are received by the opticaldetector 19B without interfering with each other, since the polarizationdirections thereof are orthogonal to each other.

Further, the light sent from the half mirror 25 to the polarization beamsplitter 16A is separated by the polarization beam splitter 16A into twoorthogonal polarization components. The polarization componenttransmitted through the polarization beam splitter 16A is condensed bythe collimator lens 14C to be sent to the optical detector 18B of thedifferential reception circuit 18, whereas the polarization componentreflected by the polarization beam splitter 16A is condensed by thecollimator lens 14B to be sent to the optical detector 18A of thedifferential reception circuit 18. At this time, the polarizationcomponent transmitted from the half mirror 15 through the polarizationbeam splitter 16A to be condensed by the collimator lens 14B and thepolarization component transmitted from the half mirror 25 and reflectedby the polarization beam splitter 16A to be condensed by the collimatorlens 14B, are received by the optical detector 18A without interferingwith each other, since the polarization directions thereof areorthogonal to each other. Similarly to this, the polarization componenttransmitted from the half mirror 15 and reflected by the polarizationbeam splitter 16A to be condensed by the collimator lens 14C and thepolarization component transmitted from the half lens 25 through thepolarization beam splitter 16A to be condensed by the collimator lens14C, are received by the optical detector 18B without interfering witheach other, since the polarization directions thereof are orthogonal toeach other.

In the differential reception circuit 18, the electric signal I in whichthe in-phase components in the DQPSK signal light are demodulated basedon power changes in the polarization components respectively received bythe optical detectors 18A and 18B, is output from the amplifier 18C.Also, in the differential reception circuit 19, the electric signal Q inwhich the quadrature components in the DQPSK signal light aredemodulated based on power changes in the polarization componentsrespectively received by the optical detectors 19A and 19B, is outputfrom the amplifier 19C.

As described in the above, according to the optical receiver in thesecond embodiment, the DQPSK signal light input in an arbitrarypolarization state is separated by the polarization beam splitter 21into the orthogonal polarization components, and these polarizationcomponents are propagated to opposite directions in the single PANDAtype fiber 12 utilizing the optical circulators 22 and 23, so that thesame delay time difference can be generated between the polarizationcomponents. Then, the respective polarization components passed throughthe PANDA type fiber 12 are given to the optical system in which opticalcomponents are symmetrically arranged, so that the electric signal I inwhich the in-phase components in the DQPSK signal light are demodulatedand the electric signal Q in which the quadrature components in theDQPSK signal light are demodulated, can be obtained, similarly to thefirst embodiment. As a result, it becomes possible to easily realize,with a simple configuration, the optical receiver of polarizationdiversity system for demodulating the DQPSK signal light.

Next, there will be described a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical receiveraccording to the third embodiment.

In FIG. 3, the optical receiver in the present embodiment comprises, forexample, an automatic polarization controller (APC) 31 as a polarizationconverting section, a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) 32 in which onedelay interference section 35 and two polarization separating sections36A and 36B, are formed on the same substrate, and differentialreception circuits 33 and 34 as first and second reception sections.

The automatic polarization controller 31 is capable of arbitrarilychanging the polarization state of the DQPSK signal light input to thepresent optical receiver, similarly to the automatic polarizationcontroller 11 in the first embodiment. Here, this automatic polarizationcontroller 31 monitors therein the polarization state of the DQPSKsignal light input to an input port thereof to automatically control thepolarization state of the DQPSK signal light, so that a linearlypolarized light having a polarization plane inclined by 45° to abirefringent axis of a lower side arm 35C of the delay interferencesection 35 to be described later, is output.

The delay interference section 35 comprises a Mach-Zehnder opticalwaveguide including an input side optical coupler 35A as a branchingsection, two arms 35B and 35C, and an output side optical coupler 35D asa multiplexing/demultiplexing section. By making the optical pathlengths of the arms 35B and 35C different from each other, the delayinterference section 35 generates a relative delay time differencecorresponding to one symbol of the DQPSK signal light between the lightspropagated through the respective arms. Here, for example, by settingthe total length of the arm 35B on the upper side in the figure to belonger than the total length of the lower side arm 35C, the delay timedifference is generated using a delay line independent of thepolarization state. Further, by making the sectional structure or thesubstrate additive of the lower side arm 35C different from that of theother portion, the delay interference section 35 has a configurationcapable of forming the optical waveguide having the birefringenceequivalent to that of the ¼ wave plate (π/4), and giving a birefringentamount difference of π/2 between a TE mode and a TM mode of one oflights obtained by branching the DQPSK signal light into two by theinput side optical coupler 35A.

The polarization separating sections 36A and 36B each has an opticalaxis parallel (or vertical) to the birefringent axis of the lower sidearm 35C of the delay interference section 35, to separate each of thelights sent from the delay interference section 35 into a TE mode lightand a TM mode light. The TE mode lights separated by the polarizationseparating sections 36A and 36B are respectively propagated throughoutput waveguides which extend to a substrate end face of the planarlightwave circuit 32, to be emitted toward the differential receptioncircuit 33 arranged in the vicinity of end faces of the respectiveoutput waveguides. Also, the TM mode lights separated by thepolarization separating sections 36A and 36B are respectively propagatedthrough output waveguides which extend to the substrate end face of theplanar lightwave circuit 32, to be emitted toward the differentialreception circuit 34 arranged in the vicinity of end faces of the outputwaveguides. Note, the planar lightwave circuit 32 is capable ofperforming an optical phase control within the circuit, by adjusting thetemperature of the substrate or the like according to a control signalC′.

The differential reception circuit 33 includes, for example, opticaldetectors 33A and 33B and an amplifier 33C, and receives, at the opticaldetectors 33A and 33B, the TE mode lights separated by the polarizationseparating sections 36A and 36B, to output an electric signal I in whichin-phase components in the DQPSK signal light are demodulated, from theamplifier 33C. Further, similarly to the differential reception circuit33, the differential reception circuit 34 includes optical detectors 34Aand 34B and an amplifier 34A, and receives, at the optical detectors 34Aand 34B, the TM mode lights separated by the polarization separatingsections 36A and 36B, to output an electric signal Q in which quadraturecomponents in the DQPSK signal light are demodulated, from the amplifier34C. Note, the electric signals I and Q respectively output from thedifferential reception circuits 33 and 34 are given to a typical signalprocessing circuit (not shown in the figure), such as a clock datarecovery (CDR) circuit or the like, where the identification processingof received data is performed.

In the optical receiver of the above configuration, the DQPSK signallight sent from the optical transmission path is input to the automaticpolarization controller 31 where the polarization state thereof iscontrolled, and is incident on the planar lightwave circuit 32 in thestate of the linearly polarized light inclined by 45° to thebirefringent axis. Here, the description will be made on the case wherethe polarization state of the DQPSK signal light is made to be thelinearly polarized light by the automatic polarization controller 31.However, in the case where the polarization state of the DQPSK signallight is made to be the circularly polarized light by the automaticpolarization controller 31, an operation therefore is same as theoperation for the linearly polarized light.

Here, provided that the unit vector parallel to the TE mode of theoptical waveguide in the planar lightwave circuit 32 is vector e_(x) andthe unit vector parallel to the TM mode is vector e_(y), an opticalelectric field immediately after the incidence on the planar lightwavecircuit 32 from the automatic polarization controller 31 can berepresented in accordance with the relational expression shown in thenext formula (2).{right arrow over (E)}_(A)(t)∝e^(jφ(t))e^(jω(t))({right arrow over(e)}_(x)+{right arrow over (e)}_(y) )   (2)Here, vector E_(A)(t) is the optical electric field immediately afterthe incidence, ω is an angular frequency, j is the imaginary unit andφ(t) is a phase component modulated in an optical sender.

The DQPSK signal light incident on the planar lightwave circuit 32 isbranched into two by the input side optical coupler 35A of the delayinterference section 35. To be specific, as one example of the inputside optical coupler 35A, a 50:50 directional coupler having transfermatrix shown in the next formula (3) is assumed, and an operation of thedelay interference section 35 will be described. $\begin{matrix}{T_{CPL} = \begin{pmatrix}\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} & {j\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}} \\{j\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}} & \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\end{pmatrix}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

Optical electric fields at inlet ports of the arms 35B and 35Cimmediately after the DQPSK signal light is branched by the input sideoptical coupler 35A are represented by the relational expressions shownin the next formula (4). $\begin{matrix}{{{{\overset{->}{E}}_{{ARM}\quad 1\text{-}{IN}}(t)} = {\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\phi}{(t)}}{{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}( {{\overset{->}{e}}_{x} + {\overset{->}{e}}_{y}} )}}}{{{\overset{->}{E}}_{{ARM}\quad 2\text{-}{IN}}(t)} = {j\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\phi}{(t)}}{{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}( {{\overset{->}{e}}_{x} + {\overset{->}{e}}_{y}} )}}}} & (4)\end{matrix}$Here, vector E_(ARM1-IN)(t) is the optical electric field at the inletport of the upper side arm 35B, and vector E_(ARM2-IN)(t) is the opticalelectric field at the inlet port of the lower side arm 35C.

A time delay T is generated in the light propagated through the upperside arm 35B, and a phase difference of −π/4 to the TE mode and a phasedifference of π/4 to the TM mode are generated respectively in the lightpropagated through the lower side arm 35C. Therefore, the opticalelectric fields just before an inlet port of the output side opticalcoupler 35D are in relationships as shown in the next formula (5).$\begin{matrix}{{{{\overset{->}{E}}_{{ARM}\quad 1\text{-}{OUT}}(t)} = {\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}}{{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}( {{\overset{->}{e}}_{x} + {\overset{->}{e}}_{y}} )}}}{{{\overset{->}{E}}_{{ARM}\quad 2\text{-}{OUT}}(t)} = {j\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}{{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}( {{{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}{\overset{->}{e}}_{x}} + {e^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}}{\overset{->}{e}}_{y}}} )}}}} & (5)\end{matrix}$Here, vector E_(ARM1-OUT)(t) is the optical electric field immediatelybefore the inlet port of the output side optical coupler 35D, which isconnected to the upper side arm 35B, and vector E_(ARM2-OUT)(t) is theoptical electric field immediately before the inlet port of the outputside optical coupler 35D, which is connected to the lower side arm 35C.

Since the lights from the arms 35B and 35C are multiplexed/demultiplexedin the output side optical coupler 35D, the optical electric fieldsoutput from respective output ports of the output side optical coupler35D are in relationships as shown in the next formula (6).$\begin{matrix}{\quad{\begin{matrix}{{{\overset{->}{E}}_{U\text{-}{OUT}}(t)} = {{\frac{1}{2}{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}}{{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}( {{\overset{->}{e}}_{x} + {\overset{->}{e}}_{y}} )}} -}} \\{\frac{1}{2}{{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}( {{{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}{\overset{->}{e}}_{x}} + {{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}}{\overset{->}{e}}_{y}}} )}} \\{{= {{\frac{1}{2}\begin{pmatrix}{{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}} -} \\{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}\end{pmatrix}{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}{\overset{->}{e}}_{x}} + {\frac{1}{2}\begin{pmatrix}{{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}} -} \\{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}}\end{pmatrix}{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}{\overset{->}{e}}_{y}}}}\quad}\end{matrix}\begin{matrix}{{{\overset{->}{E}}_{L\text{-}{OUT}}(t)} = {{\frac{j}{2}{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}}{{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}( {{\overset{->}{e}}_{x} + {\overset{->}{e}}_{y}} )}} -}} \\{\frac{j}{2}{{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}( {{{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}{\overset{->}{e}}_{x}} + {{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}}{\overset{->}{e}}_{y}}} )}} \\{{= {{\frac{j}{2}\begin{pmatrix}{{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}} -} \\{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}\end{pmatrix}{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}{\overset{->}{e}}_{x}} + {\frac{j}{2}\begin{pmatrix}{{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}} -} \\{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}}\end{pmatrix}{\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}{\overset{->}{e}}_{y}}}}\quad}\end{matrix}}} & (6)\end{matrix}$Here, vector E_(U-OUT)(t) is the optical electric field immediatelyafter output from the upper side output port of the output side opticalcoupler 35D, and vector E_(L-OUT)(t) is the optical electric fieldimmediately after output from the lower side output port of the outputside optical coupler 35D.

The light output from the upper side output port of the output sideoptical coupler 35D is given to the polarization separating section 36A,to be separated into the TE mode light (vector E_(U-TE)(t)) and the TMmode light (vector E_(U-TM)(t)) shown in the next formula (7).$\begin{matrix}{{{{\overset{->}{E}}_{U\text{-}{TE}}(t)} = {\frac{1}{2}( {{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}} - {\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}} ){\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}{\overset{->}{e}}_{x}}}{{{\overset{->}{E}}_{U\text{-}{TM}}(t)} = {\frac{1}{2}( {{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}} - {\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}}} ){\mathbb{e}}^{{j\omega}\quad t}{\overset{->}{e}}_{y}}}} & (7)\end{matrix}$

The TM mode light separated by the polarization separating section 36Ais received by the optical detector 33A of the differential receptioncircuit 33, whereas the TM mode light is received by the opticaldetector 34A of the differential reception circuit 34. PhotocurrentsI^(U-TE)(t) and I_(U-TM)(t) generated in the optical detectors 33A and34A are represented by the relational expression shown in the nextformula (8). $\begin{matrix}{{\begin{matrix}{{{I_{U\text{-}{TE}}(t)} \propto \begin{matrix}\begin{pmatrix}{{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}} -} \\{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}\end{pmatrix} \\\begin{pmatrix}{{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}} -} \\{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}\end{pmatrix}\end{matrix}} = {1 - {\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T} - {\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}} -}} \\{{\mathbb{e}}^{- {j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T} - {\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}}} + 1} \\{= {2 - {2{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{{\Delta\phi}{(t)}} - \Phi + {\pi/4}})}}}}}\end{matrix}{{I_{U\text{-}{TM}}(t)} \propto {2 - {2{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{{\Delta\phi}{(t)}} - \Phi - {\pi/4}})}}}}}}\quad} & (8)\end{matrix}$Here, Δφ(t) is a phase difference from one code before, and ideally, hasa value of any one of 0, π/2, π and 3π/2 (or a value obtained by addingthe integral multiple of 2π to any one of these values).

Similarly to the above, the light output from the lower side output portof the output side optical coupler 35D is separated into the TE modelight and the TM mode light by the polarization separating section 36B.The TE mode light is received by the optical detector 33B of thedifferential reception circuit 33, whereas the TM mode light is receivedby the optical detector 34B of the differential reception circuit 33.Photocurrents I_(L-TE)(t) and I_(L-TM)(t) generated in the opticaldetectors 33B and 34B are represented by the relational expression shownin the next formula (9). $\begin{matrix}{\begin{matrix}{{I_{L\text{-}{TE}}(t)} \propto {\begin{pmatrix}{{j\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}} +} \\{j\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}{- {j\mathbb{e}}^{- {j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T}})}}}} \\{- {j\mathbb{e}}^{- {j{({{\phi{(t)}} - {\pi/4}})}}}}\end{pmatrix}}} \\{= {1 + {\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T} - {\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}} + {\mathbb{e}}^{- {j{({{\phi{({t - T})}} - {\omega\quad T} - {\phi{(t)}} + {\pi/4}})}}} + 1}} \\{= {2 + {2{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\Delta\quad{\phi{(t)}}} - \Phi + {\pi/4}})}}}}}\end{matrix}{{I_{L\text{-}{TM}}(t)} \propto {2 + {2{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{{\Delta\phi}{(t)}} - \Phi - {\pi/4}})}}}}}} & (9)\end{matrix}$

In the differential reception circuits 33 and 34, differential currentsI_(I)(t) and I_(Q)(t) of the optical detectors 33A and 33B and theoptical detectors 34A and 34B as shown in the next formula (10) areacquired in order to demodulate the DQPSK signal light. $\begin{matrix}{\begin{matrix}{{I_{I}(t)} = {{I_{L\text{-}{TE}}(t)} - {I_{U\text{-}{TE}}(t)}}} \\{= {{2{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{\Delta\quad{\phi{(t)}}} - \Phi + {\pi/4}})}}} + {2{\mathbb{e}}^{j{({{{\Delta\phi}{(t)}} - \Phi + {\pi/4}})}}}}} \\{= {4{\cos( {{{\Delta\phi}(t)} - \Phi + {\pi/4}} )}}}\end{matrix}\begin{matrix}{{I_{Q}(t)} = {{I_{L\text{-}{TM}}(t)} - {I_{U\text{-}{TM}}(t)}}} \\{= {4{\cos( {{{\Delta\phi}(t)} - \Phi - {\pi/4}} )}}}\end{matrix}} & (10)\end{matrix}$

As a result, by making the adjustment by the temperature control of theplanar lightwave circuit 32 so that Φ=0, it becomes possible todemodulate the in-phase components and the quadrature components in theDQPSK signal light in accordance with the following conditions. In thecase of Δφ(t) = 0, I_(I)(t) > 0, I_(Q)(t) > 0 In the case of Δφ(t) =π/2, I_(I)(t) < 0, I_(Q)(t) > 0 In the case of Δφ(t) = π, I_(I)(t) < 0,I_(Q)(t) < 0 In the case of Δφ(t) = 3π/2, I_(I)(t) > 0, I_(Q)(t) < 0

As described in the above, according to the third embodiment, the delaytime difference corresponding to one symbol is given to the input DQPSKsignal light by the single delay interference section 35 formed in theplanar lightwave circuit 32 using the delay line independent of thepolarization state, and at the same time, the phase difference is givenbetween the TE mode and the TM mode on one of the arms so that aninterference operating point is shifted by π/2. Therefore, theprocessing of the DQPSK signal light which has required dual systemdelay interferometers in the conventional configuration (FIG. 7) can becommonly performed. As a result, the optical phase no longer needs to becontrolled with high accuracy in the planar lightwave circuit 32, andthe optical receiver is stably operated in response to the temperaturechange. Further, since the chip area of the planar lightwave circuit 32becomes smaller than that in the conventional configuration, it becomespossible to realize the small sized optical receiver.

In the above third embodiment, the description has been made on theexample in which the in-phase components in the DQPSK signal light aredemodulated based on the TE mode component and the quadrature componentsin the DQPSK signal light are demodulated based on the TM modecomponent, but the reverse is possible. Further, the configuration hasbeen shown in which one of the arms in the delay interference section 35has the birefringence to generate the birefringent amount difference ofπ/2. However, the ¼ wave plate may be inserted on the halfway of one ofthe arms in the delay interference section 35 so that the birefringentamount difference of π/2 is generated.

1. An optical receiver for demodulating a signal light subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying, comprising: a polarizationconverting section that converts the input signal light subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying into a linearly polarizedlight to output it; a birefringent optical medium which receives, at anintrinsic axis thereof, the signal light converted into the linearlypolarized light by said polarization converting section with apolarization plane thereof inclined by 45°, and is capable of generatinga relative delay time difference corresponding to one symbol of codesubjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying between apolarization component propagated along a direction parallel to saidintrinsic axis and a polarization component propagated along a directionvertical to said intrinsic axis; a branching section that branches thelight passed through said birefringent optical medium into two, to sendone of the branched lights to a first path and the other branched lightto a second path; a birefringent amount difference generating sectionthat generates a relative birefringent amount difference of π/2 betweenthe light propagated through first path and the light propagated throughsaid second path; a first polarization separating section that has anoptical axis inclined by 45° to the intrinsic axis of said birefringentoptical medium, and separates the light propagated through said firstpath, which is given with the relative birefringent amount difference bysaid birefringent amount difference generating section, into twoorthogonal polarization components; a second polarization separatingsection that has an optical axis inclined by 45° to the intrinsic axisof said birefringent optical medium, and separates the light propagatedthrough said second path, which is given with the relative birefringentamount difference by said birefringent amount difference generatingsection, into two orthogonal polarization components; a first receptionsection that receives at least one of the polarization componentsseparated by said first polarization separating section, to output anelectric signal in which in-phase components in the signal lightsubjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying aredemodulated based on the received light power; and a second receptionsection that receives at least one of the polarization componentsseparated by said second polarization separating section, to output anelectric signal in which quadrature components in the signal lightsubjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying aredemodulated based on the received light power.
 2. An optical receiveraccording to claim 1, wherein said polarization converting sectioncomprises an automatic polarization controller which follows a change ina polarization state of the input signal light subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying, to automatically convertsaid signal light into a linearly polarized light having a polarizationplane inclined by 45° to the intrinsic axis of said birefringent opticalmedium.
 3. An optical receiver according to claim 1, wherein saidpolarization converting section comprises: a polarization separatorwhich has an optical axis inclined by 45° to the intrinsic axis of saidbirefringent optical medium, and separates the signal light subjected tothe differential quadrature phase shift keying, which is given to aninput port thereof, into a linearly polarized light parallel to saidoptical axis and a linearly polarized light vertical to said opticalaxis, to output the polarized lights from two output ports thereof; andfirst and second optical circulators each having three ports, totransfer the light input to a first port in one direction to a secondport while maintaining a polarization state of the light and also totransfer the light input to the second port in one direction to a thirdport while maintaining the polarization state of the light, the firstport of said first optical circulator being connected to one of theoutput ports of said polarization separator, the second port of saidfirst optical circulator being connected to one end of said birefringentoptical medium, the first port of said second optical circulator beingconnected to the other output port of said polarization separator, andthe second port of said second optical circulator being connected to theother end of said birefringent optical medium, said branching sectioncomprises: a first half mirror which branches the light output from thethird port of said first optical circulator into two, to send one of thebranched lights to the first path and the other branched light to thesecond path; and a second half mirror which branches the light outputfrom the third port of said second circulator into two, to send one ofthe branched lights to a third path and the other branched light to afourth path, said birefringent amount difference generating sectioncomprises: a first birefringent amount difference generator whichgenerates a relative birefringent amount difference of π/2 between thelight propagated through said first path and the light propagatedthrough said second path; and a second birefringent amount differencegenerator which generates a relative birefringent amount difference ofπ/2 between the light propagated through said third path and the lightpropagated through said fourth path, said first polarization separatingsection separates each of the light propagated through said first path,which is given with the relative birefringent amount difference by saidfirst birefringent amount difference generator, and the light propagatedthrough said third path, which is given with the relative birefringentamount difference by said second birefringent amount differencegenerator, into two orthogonal polarization components, and said secondpolarization separating section separates each of the light propagatedthrough said second path, which is given with the relative birefringentamount difference by said first birefringent amount differencegenerator, and the light propagated through said fourth path, which isgiven with the relative birefringent amount difference by said secondbirefringent amount difference generator, into two orthogonalpolarization components.
 4. An optical receiver according to claim 1,wherein said birefringent amount difference generating section isdisposed with a ¼ wave plate on either said first path or said secondpath.
 5. An optical receiver according to claim 1, further comprising; adelay time difference correcting section that corrects the deviation ofthe delay time difference generated in said birefringent optical mediumfrom the integral multiple of an optical electric field oscillationperiod.
 6. An optical receiver according to claim 1, wherein said firstand second reception sections each comprises: a pair of opticaldetectors which receive respectively the polarization componentsseparated by said first and second polarization separating sections; andan amplifier which computes a difference between the received lightpowers detected by said respective optical detectors.
 7. An opticalreceiver according to claim 1, wherein said signal light subjected tothe differential quadrature phase shift keying is return-to-zero pulsed.8. An optical receiver according to claim 1, wherein said signal lightsubjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying iscarrier-suppressed return-to-zero pulsed.
 9. An optical receiver fordemodulating a signal light subjected to the differential quadraturephase shift keying, comprising: a polarization converting section thatconverts the input signal light subjected to the differential quadraturephase shift keying into either a linearly polarized light or acircularly polarized light, to output it; a delay interference sectionthat includes a Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide on which is formed: abranching section that branches the signal light whose polarizationstate is converted by said polarization converting section; a first armthrough which one of the lights branched by said branching section ispropagated; a second arm having the optical path length different fromthat of said first arm, through which the other of the lights branchedby said branching section is propagated; and amultiplexing/demultiplexing section that multiplexes the lights passedthrough said first and second arms to make the lights to interfere witheach other, and thereafter, demultiplexes the multiplexed light intotwo, the Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide is capable of generating arelative delay time difference corresponding to one symbol of codesubjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying, between therespective lights propagated through said first and second arms and alsocapable of making one of said first arm and the second arm to have thebirefringence, to generate a relative birefringent amount difference ofπ/2 between a TE mode component and a TM mode component in the lightpropagated through said arm having the birefringence; a firstpolarization separating section that has an optical axis parallel orvertical to a birefringent axis of said delay interference section, andseparates one of the lights obtained by demultiplexing the multiplexedlight into two by said multiplexing/demultiplexing section, into a TEmode light and a TM mode light; a second polarization separating sectionthat has an optical axis parallel or vertical to the birefringent axisof said delay interference section, and separates the other of thelights obtained by demultiplexing the multiplexed light into two by saidmultiplexing/demultiplexing section, into a TE mode light and a TM modelight; a first reception section that receives one of the TE mode lightsand the TM mode lights which are respectively separated by said firstpolarization separating section and said second polarization separatingsection, to output an electric signal in which in-phase components inthe signal light subjected to the differential quadrature phase shiftkeying are demodulated based on the received light power; and a secondreception section that receives the other of the TE mode lights and theTM mode lights which are respectively separated by said firstpolarization separating section and said second polarization separatingsection, to output an electric signal in which quadrature components inthe signal light subjected to the differential quadrature phase shiftkeying are demodulated based on the received light power.
 10. An opticalreceiver according to claim 9, wherein said polarization convertingsection comprises an automatic polarization controller which follows achange in a polarization state of the input signal light subjected tothe differential quadrature phase shift keying to automatically convertsaid signal light into a linearly polarized light having a polarizationplane inclined by 45° to the birefringent axis of said delayinterference section.
 11. An optical receiver according to claim 9,wherein there is provided a planar lightwave circuit in which said delayinterference section, and said first and second polarization separatingsections are formed on the same substrate.
 12. An optical receiveraccording to claim 11, wherein said planar lightwave circuit has afunction of adjusting the temperature of said substrate to control anoptical phase within the circuit.
 13. An optical receiver according toclaim 9, wherein said delay interference section uses a ¼ wave plateinserted on the halfway of one of said first and second arms to generatethe birefringent amount difference of π/2 in place of using thebirefringence in one of said first and second arms.
 14. An opticalreceiver according to claim 9, wherein said first reception sectionincludes a pair of optical detectors which receive one of the TE modelights and the TM mode lights respectively separated by said firstpolarization separating section and said second polarization separatingsection, and an amplifier which computes a difference between thereceived light powers detected by said respective optical detectors, andsaid second reception section includes a pair of optical detectors whichreceive the other of the TE mode lights and the TM mode lightsrespectively separated by said first polarization separating section andsaid second polarization separating section, and an amplifier whichcomputes a difference between the received light powers detected by saidrespective optical detectors.
 15. An optical receiver according to claim9, wherein said signal light subjected to the differential quadraturephase shift keying is return-to-zero pulsed.
 16. An optical receiveraccording to claim 9, wherein said signal light subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying is carrier-suppressedreturn-to-zero pulsed.
 17. An optical reception method for demodulatinga signal light subjected to the differential quadrature phase shiftkeying, comprising: converting the input signal light subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying into a linearly polarizedlight; receiving the signal light converted into the linearly polarizedlight with a polarization plane thereof inclined by 45° at an intrinsicaxis of a birefringent optical medium, to generate a relative delay timedifference corresponding to one symbol of code subjected to thedeferential quadrature phase shift keying between a polarizationcomponent propagated along a direction parallel to said intrinsic axisand a polarization component propagated along a direction vertical tosaid intrinsic axis; branching the light passed through saidbirefringent optical medium into two, to send one of the branched lightsto a first path and the other branched light to a second path;generating a relative birefringent amount difference of π/2 between thelight propagated through first path and the light propagated throughsaid second path; giving the light propagated through said first path,which is given with said relative birefringent amount difference, to afirst polarization separating section that has an optical axis inclinedby 45° to the intrinsic axis of said birefringent optical medium, toseparate the light into two orthogonal polarization components; givingthe light propagated through said second path, which is given with saidrelative birefringent amount difference, to a second polarizationseparating section that has an optical axis inclined by 45° to theintrinsic axis of said birefringent optical medium, to separate thelight into two orthogonal polarization components; receiving at leastone of the polarization components separated by said first polarizationseparating section, to demodulate in-phase components in the signallight subjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying basedon the received light power; and receiving at least one of thepolarization components separated by said second polarization separatingsection, to demodulate quadrature components in the signal lightsubjected to the differential quadrature phase shift keying based on thereceived light power.
 18. An optical reception method for demodulating asignal light subjected to the deferential quadrature phase shift keying,comprising: converting the input signal light subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying into a linearly polarizedlight or a circularly polarized light; giving said signal light whosepolarization state is converted to a delay interference sectionincluding a Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide, to generate a relative delaytime difference corresponding to one symbol of code subjected to thedifferential quadrature phase shift keying, between the lightspropagated respectively through first and second arms having the opticalpath lengths different from each other, of said delay interferencesection, and also to generate a relative birefringent amount differenceof π/2 between a TE mode component and a TM mode component in the lightpropagated through said arm having the birefringence; giving twocomplementary output lights output from said delay interference sectionto a first polarization separating section and a second polarizationseparating section each having an optical axis parallel or vertical to abirefringent axis of said delay interference section, to separate thelights respectively into TE mode lights and TM mode lights; receivingone of the TE mode lights and the TM mode lights which are respectivelyseparated by said first polarization separating section and said secondpolarization separating section, to demodulate in-phase components inthe signal light subjected to the differential quadrature phase shiftkeying based on the received light power; and receiving the other of theTE mode lights and the TM mode lights which are respectively separatedby said first polarization separating section and said secondpolarization separating section, to demodulate quadrature components inthe signal light subjected to the differential quadrature phase shiftkeying based on the received light power.